What's the Best Order to Watch Marvel Movies? Let's Dive In!
Hey there, Marvel fanatics! So, you've decided to embark on a cinematic journey through the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but you're wondering, "What order should I watch the Marvel movies?" Well, buckle up, true believer! We're about to take a deep dive into the best ways to watch all those fantastic films. Let's get this show on the road! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and what order should i watch the marvel movies.
Why Watch Marvel Movies in Order?
Before we dive into the different viewing orders, let's talk about why you should consider watching the Marvel movies in order. Spoiler alert: it's not just about chronological storytelling. Watching the MCU in order allows you to:
- Understand character arcs and storylines better. Characters grow and change over the course of the series, and watching in order helps you appreciate that evolution. - Catch all the easter eggs and callbacks. The MCU is filled with hidden gems and references to other films, comics, and characters. Watching in order ensures you don't miss any of these delightful surprises. - Experience the narrative build-up and payoffs. The MCU is a complex, interconnected web of storylines, and watching in order lets you fully appreciate the buildup to major events and the payoffs when they finally happen.
Now that we've established why watching the Marvel movies in order is a good idea, let's explore the different viewing orders you can choose from.
The Chronological Order: When Everything Happened
If you're a stickler for time and want to watch the Marvel movies in the order they actually happened within the MCU timeline, this is the order for you. Just remember, this doesn't always mean it's the most satisfying viewing experience. Here's the chronological order:
- 1. Captain America: The First Avenger (1942-1945)
- 2. Captain Marvel (1995)
- 3. Iron Man (2010)
- 4. Iron Man 2 (2011)
- 5. The Incredible Hulk (2011)
- 6. Thor (2011)
- 7. The Avengers (2012)
- 8. Iron Man 3 (2013)
- 9. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- 10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- 11. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- 12. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- 13. Ant-Man (2015)
- 14. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- 15. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2016)
- 16. Doctor Strange (2016)
- 17. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- 18. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- 19. Black Panther (2018)
- 20. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- 21. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- 22. Captain Marvel (2019) [again, because it's set before the events of Avengers: Endgame]
- 23. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- 24. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
The Release Order: How They Were Released
If you want a more traditional viewing experience, watching the Marvel movies in the order they were released in theaters is a great way to go. This order allows you to experience the hype and anticipation that surrounded each film's release. Here's the release order:
- 1. Iron Man (2008)
- 2. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- 3. Iron Man 2 (2010)
- 4. Thor (2011)
- 5. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- 6. The Avengers (2012)
- 7. Iron Man 3 (2013)
- 8. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- 9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- 10. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- 11. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- 12. Ant-Man (2015)
- 13. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- 14. Doctor Strange (2016)
- 15. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- 16. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- 17. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- 18. Black Panther (2018)
- 19. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- 20. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- 21. Captain Marvel (2019)
- 22. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- 23. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
The Phase Order: Grouping by Story Arcs
Marvel has divided the MCU into phases, with each phase containing a series of films that build towards a major crossover event. Watching the Marvel movies in order of their phases can be a satisfying way to experience the narrative arcs and character developments. Here's the phase order:
Phase One: Assemble
- 1. Iron Man (2008)
- 2. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- 3. Iron Man 2 (2010)
- 4. Thor (2011)
- 5. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- 6. The Avengers (2012)
Phase Two: The Fall
- 1. Iron Man 3 (2013)
- 2. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- 3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- 4. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- 5. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- 6. Ant-Man (2015)
Phase Three: The Infinity Saga
- 1. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- 2. Doctor Strange (2016)
- 3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- 4. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- 5. Black Panther (2018)
- 6. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- 7. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- 8. Captain Marvel (2019)
- 9. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- 10. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
The Disney+ Order: The Future of the MCU
With the launch of Disney+, Marvel has started releasing new series and specials that are set within the MCU. If you want to include these projects in your viewing experience, you'll want to follow the Disney+ order. Here's that order, including both films and series:
- 1. Iron Man (2008)
- 2. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- 3. Iron Man 2 (2010)
- 4. Thor (2011)
- 5. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- 6. The Avengers (2012)
- 7. Iron Man 3 (2013)
- 8. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- 9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- 10. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- 11. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- 12. Ant-Man (2015)
- 13. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- 14. Doctor Strange (2016)
- 15. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- 16. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- 17. Black Panther (2018)
- 18. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- 19. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- 20. Captain Marvel (2019)
- 21. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- 22. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
- 23. WandaVision (2021, Disney+ series)
- 24. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021, Disney+ series)
- 25. Loki (2021, Disney+ series)
- 26. What If...? (2021, Disney+ animated series)
- 27. Black Widow (2021, film)
- 28. The Eternals (2021, film)
- 29. Hawkeye (2021, Disney+ series)
- 30. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021, film)
- 31. Moon Knight (2022, Disney+ series)
- 32. Ms. Marvel (2022, Disney+ series)
- 33. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022, film)
- 34. She-Hulk (2022, Disney+ series)
- 35. Blade (TBA, film)
- 36. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (TBA, Disney+ special)
- 37. Secret Invasion (TBA, Disney+ series)
- 38. Ironheart (TBA, Disney+ series)
- 39. Agents of Atlas (TBA, Disney+ series)
- 40. X-Men '97 (TBA, Disney+ animated series)
- 41. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (TBA, film)
The Ultimate Marvel Marathon: A Word of Caution
If you're planning to watch all the Marvel movies back-to-back, we salute you! But remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Make sure to take breaks, stay hydrated, and pace yourself. You don't want to burn out before you reach the end of Avengers: Endgame.